kuiper



Feb. 3, 1959 J. R. KUIPER 2,

GYROSCOPIC STABILIZER Filed Oct. 10, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG! umw

INVENTORZ I JAMES R. KUIPER w amzm'v int ATT'YS Feb. 3, 1959 Y J. R.KUIPER 2,87 07 GYROSCOPIC STABILIZER Filed Oct. 10, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet2 FIGG INVENTOR:

JAMES R. KUIPER ATTYS United Sttes 2,871,707 GYROSCOPIC STABILIZER JamesR. Kuiper, Grand Rapids,

Allen Business Machines, Inc., a corporation of Michigan ApplicationOctober 10, 1957, Serial N0. 689,355

Claims. (Cl. 745.22)

Mich., assignor to R. C. Grand Rapids, Mich,

the object under observation within the line of sight' since vibrationsof the device resulting from hand tremor or other vibration blurs theimage of the observed object sufiiciently to destroy its clarity andreduce the effectiveness of the device. Heretofore, gyroscopicstabilizers have been developed for sighting devices, but have beenrelatively bulky and heavy.

The gyroscopic stabilizer of the present invention is constructed sothat it may be easily clamped to a sighting device such as binoculars insuch a manner that the center of gravity of the binoculars is directlyover the stabilizer, wherein the stabilizer will not interfere with thefacial outline of the mouth and the nose of the user. The stabilizerincludes a tubular casing having a pair of gyro frames rotatablysupported within the casing. The gyro frames have their axes of rotationperpendicular to each other and located in a common diametrical plane ofthe casing normal to the sighting axis of the sighting device. A rotoris rotatably supported in each frame with its axis of rotationperpendicular to the axis of rotation of its frame. The axes of rotationof the frames are inclined so that they extend upwardly and outwardly,thereby saving weight and space in construction and defining a compactstabilizer. While the rotors may be driven by an air stream, they areillustrated herein as being driven by electric motors.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a gyroscopicstabilizer adapted to be attached to sighting devices, and including apair of gyros mounted in a casing to provide a relatively compact unit.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of agyroscopic stabilizer for sighting devices including a pair of gyrosmounted within a casing, wherein the gyros are mounted at an incline inorder'to provide a compact unit and thereby enabling a greater rotordiameter to be employed with a given case size, thus permitting agreater rotor inertia to rotor weight ratio there- 'by increasing thecapacity of the stabilizer.

Still another object of this invention is in the provision of agyroscopic stabilizer adapted to be attached to a sighting device suchas hand-held binoculars, where in the axis of the casing of thestabilizer is positioned perpendicular to the axis of the binoculars,wherein the stabilizer may be clamped beneath the center of gravity ofthe binoculars without interfering with the facial outline of the mouthand nose of the user.

A further object of this invention is to provide a gyroscopic stabilizerfor sighting devices having a pair atent of gyros mounted within acasing, wherein the vectorial summation of the stabilizing forces of thegyros are maximum in both the horizontal plane and the vertical plane.

A still further object of this invention resides in the provision of agyroscopic stabilizer for use on sighting devices having a pair of gyrosmounted within a casing, wherein the axes of rotation of the rotors ofeach gyro are parallel to each other and the rotors are driven inopposite directions to avoid undesirable reaction torques on the casingwhile maneuvering the gyroscopic stabilizer.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like referencenumerals refer to like parts, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a binoculars having mounted thereonthe gyroscopic stabilizer according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the arrangement of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view of the gyroscopicstabilizer according to the invention illustrating the tubular casingwith portions broken away to show underlying parts and the arrangementof the gyros within the casing as they are mounted therein;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary and greatly enlarged detail view of the mountingof a gyro frame at the upper end thereof;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary and greatly enlarged detail view of the mountingof a gyro frame at the lower end thereof;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View, taken substantialy along the line 55 of Fig.3;

Fig. 7 is a sectional View taken substantially along line 6-6 of Fig. 3,showing some parts in elevation;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of an electric circuit for operating themotors which drive the gyros;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section taken through" the stabilizer housingshowing the terminal board in plan view; and

- Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing how the terminal boardis secured to the stabilizer housing and taken along lines Itll1(l ofFig. 9.

Referring now to the drawings, and especially to Figs. 1 and 2, thegyroscopic stabilizer of the present invention, generally designated bythe numeral 10, is shown mounted on a binoculars 11, wherein thestabilizer 10 is mounted beneath the center of gravity of the binoculars11 in such a position so that the axis of the stabilizer is positionedperpendicular to the sighting axis of the binoculars which gives theline of sight from eye E to object B. By arranging the stabilizer 10relative to the binoculars 11 in this fashion, it will be appreciatedthat there is no interference with the facial outline of the user on thepart of the stabilizer.

The gyroscopic stabilizer it includes a tubular casing 312 havingsecured centrally thereof an upwardly extending supporting bar 11-3.vThe supporting bar is arcuately bent at its upper end and has attachedthereto a clamp 14 which includes a pair of clamping members 15 at thelower end adjustable by manipulation of a control knob 16 at the upperend, wherein the clamping members are adapted to engage a center rod 17of the binoculars as illustrated. Although the gyroscopic stabilizer ofthe present invention is shown only as mounted on binoculars, it will beappreciated that the stabilizer may be utilized with any other type ofsighting device or wherever it is needed to reduce or eliminatevibration of a device for effective operation thereof; It would only benecessary to improvise the mounting arrangement in order to adapt thestabilizer of the present invention for any other type of device.

The casing 12 of the stabilizer has mounted therein a-pair of spacedapart gyros 18 and 19 which comprise generally gyro frames 20 and 21 andgyro rotors 22 and 23, respectively. The gyro frames are rotatablymounted in the casing along inclined axes of rotation which extendperpendicular to each other and are located in a common diametral planeof the casing 12 normal to the sighting axis of the binoculars 11.inclining of the gyro frames permits a greater rotor diameter to beemployed within a given casing size, thus permitting a greater rotorinertia to rotor weight ratio. Hence, a compact stabilizer unit having agreater capacity can be constructed in any given casing size Preferably,the axes of rotation of the gyro frames are inclined 45 from a radialplane extending through the casing 12, wherein the axes extend upwardlyand outwardly from the bottom of the casing.

The gyro frames are supported within the casing by means of mountingrings 24 and 25 secured to opposite ends of the casing and a mountingblock 26 arranged near the center of the casing and at the bottomthereof. The mounting block 26 includes oppositely inclined faces 27 and2S,each of which has provided therein a cup shaped opening or blind bore29, Fig. 5. A bearing insert 3% is held in place in the opening andengages a ball bearing 31. The ball bearing 31, in turn, engages a ballbearing race 32 which is mounted in one end of each gyro frame.

The gyro frames 20 and 21 are identical and as seen in Figs. 6 and 7 aresubstantially octagonal in shape. Referring particularly to Fig. 7 whichillustrates the gyro frame 20, it is seen that each frame includesparallel opposed upper and lower bars 33 and 34, respectively, parallelopposed side bars 35 and 36, upper oppositely inclined bars 37 and 38,and lower inclined bars 39 and 40. It is the lower bar 34 which supportsthe ball race 32 for engaging the ball bearing 31. The upper bar 33similarly supports a ball bearing race 41, Fig. 4, which engages a largeball bearing 42. The ball bearing 42, in turn, engages a socket 43formed in an adjusting screw 44 threadedly received in an inclinedprojection 45 carried by the mounting ring 24. This inclined projectionparallels the inclined face 27 on the mounting block 26. Similarly, theframe 21 is mounted at its upper end on an inclined projection 46 of themounting ring 25. The locking screw 47 locks the adjusting screw 44 inposition and is also threadedly received in the projection 45. Thus, thegyro frames may be adjustable mounted within the casing during assemblyin order to give the proper bearing fit or proper rotational operationof the frames along their axes of rotation without necessitatingmanufacturing of the various parts of the stabilizer to extremely closetolerances. The mounting block 26 and the supporting ring projections 45and 46 are arranged in direct alignment with a common diametral plane,and the mounting block is located centrally of the casing 12. Similarly,the cup shaped openings and bearing inserts of the oppositely inclinedfaces on the mounting block 26 are aligned along the same diametralplane as the projections 45 and 46, whereby the axes of rotation of thegyro frames are located in a common diametral plane of the casing 12.This diametral plane is perpendicular to the sighting axis of thebinoculars or sighting instrument.

Each gyro rotor is electrically driven and actually constitutes the cagerotor of an induction motor, wherein the inner member of the motor isthe stator and is fixed between the side bars 35 and as of the gyroframe. The spin axis or axis of rotation of each rotor parallels thesight axis of the sighting instrument.

The wires leading from the windings of each motor are extended to ahorizontal common terminal board 48 of insulating material carriedWithin the casing and secured to the mounting block 26, Figs. 3, 9, and10. From the terminal board, cables may extend through a hollow or bore49 formed in the center of the mounting block as through a fitting St)to a source of electrical energy. The terminal board 48, as seen in Fig.9, includes a transversely extending center section 51 with offset wingsections 52 and 53 extending from opposite ends thereof. A hold downplate 54 is arranged over the central part of section 51 and hasupstanding flanges at each end which may support a condenser 55 thereonif one is to be used. The plate 54 and the terminal board are providedwith aligned holes for receiving mounting pins 56 which are suitablyanchored in the mounting block 26, Fig. 10, and conventional snap lockrings 57 are received by the pins over the plate 54 to lock the plateand terminal board to the mounting block. Spacers space the terminalboard slightly above the mount ing lock. Terminals 59, three in thisinstance, or when ever number is necessary, are mounted on the terminalboard to make the necessary connections between the wires leading to themotors and power source. Further suitable apertures 6d and 61 areprovided in the terminal board for the purpose of maintaining the wiresin a certain position within the casing and making connections betweenthe terminals and to the Wires leading to the power source.

The motors of the gyros 18 and 19 have their windings connected inparallel in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 8 so that the rotorswill rotate in opposite directions. By rotating the rotors in oppositedirections, undesirable reaction torques are eliminated which wouldarise While maneuvering the stabilizer and binoculars, which reactiontorques would occur if the rotors rotate in the same direction.

A spring 62 is secured at one end to the frame 20 and at the other endto the casing 12, Figs. 6 and 7, to define a spring restraint betweenthe frame and casing for maintaining the axis'of each rotor parallel tothe sight axis in its undetlected position. Similarly, a like springrestraint means will be provided between theframe 21 of the gyro 19 andthe casing 12.

The opposite open ends of the casing 12 may be closed by covers 63 and64, Fig. 3; and to increase the efficiency of the unit, the case may befilled With helium or any other light gas and hermetically sealed todecrease rotational friction of the rotors.

Since the windings of the rotors of each gyro may be connected to thecommon terminal board 48, the electrical arrangement is more compactlyconstructed and provides a single point to bring in electrical energyfor driving the rotors. Similarly, if an air stream is used as a drivingmeans for the rotors, this being a common practice in the art, therotors may be driven from a central port.

When considering rotation of the casing about an axis perpendicular toboth the rotational axis of one rotor and the rotational axis of itsframe, the gyro action is such that the torque tending to rotate thecasing produces a precession of the frame about its axis whichprecession produces a torque on the casing in'the opposite direction. Asthe restraining spring limits the precession rate of the frame, it alsolimits the torque opposing the rotation of the case, allowing caserotation. Thus, a given rotation rate of the casing will be balanced bya given torque of the gyro applied against the restraining spring.Therefore, it will be seen that any change of rate of rotation of thecasing will be balanced by precession of the gyro and any precession ofthe gyro will be balanced by a change of rate of rotation of the casing.This same reasoning applies to the other gyro when considering rotationof the case about an axis perpendicular to both the rotational axis ofits rotor and the rotational axis of its frame. Thus, it is apparentthat any rotations of the casing constituted by vectorial rotationalquantities in the two axes just considered, will likewise causeprocessions of the gyro frames with resulting stabilizing action, eachgyro deflection being proportional to the vectorial rotation rate in itsstabilizing axis. In effect, all change of rate of rotations of thecasing in all axes other than the sight axis, including tremors,vibrations, and other unsteadiness, will be stabilized within the limitsof the gyro capabilities. Thus, object B will be sharp and neitherblurred nor hazy. Because of the inclined arrangement of the gyro framesas illustrated, the vectorial summation of stabilizing forces of thegyros is maximum in both the horizontal plane and the vertical plane.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effectedwithout departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the presentinvention.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In combination with a sighting device, a tubular casing, a supportmember secured to said casing having means thereon for attaching it tosaid sighting device to maintain said casing with its axis perpendicularto the sighting axis of said device, -a first gyro frame within saidcasing, means for supporting said frame within said casing for rotationabout an inclined axis, a rotor rotatively supported by said frame forrotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of theframe, a second gyro frame within said casing, means for supporting saidsecond frame within said casing for rotation about an inclined axis, arotor rotatively supported by said second frame for rotation about anaxis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said second frame, thespin axes of said rotors extending parallel to each other and to thesighting axis, the plane extending through the rotor axes being spacedbelow a parallel plane containing the sighting axis and spring restraintmeans for each gyro frame.

2. In combination with a sighting device, a tubular casing, a supportmember secured to said casing having means thereon for attaching it tosaid sighting device to maintain said casing with its axis perpendicularto the sighting axis of said device, a first gyro frame within saidcasing, means for supporting said frame within said casing for rotationabout an inclined axis, a rotor rotatively supported by said frame forrotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of theframe, a second gyro frame within said casing, means for supporting saidsecond frame within said casing for rotation about an axis perpendicularto the axis of rotation of said first frame, a rotor rotativelysupported by said second frame for rotation about an axis perpendicularto the axis of rotation of said second frame, the spin axes of saidrotors extending parallel to each other and to the sighting axis, theplane extending through the rotor axes being spaced below a parallelplane containing the sighting axis and spring restraint means for eachgyro frame.

3. In combination with a sighting device, a tubular casing, a supportmember secured to said casing having means thereon for attaching it tosaid sighting device to maintain said casing with its axis perpendicularto the sighting axis of said device, a first gyro frame within saidcasing, means for supporting said frame within said casing for rotationabout an inclined axis, a rotor rotatively supported by said frame forrotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of theframe, a second gyro frame within said casing, means for supporting saidsecond frame within said casing for rotation about an inclined axis, theaxes of rotation of said frames extending upwardly and outwardly, and arotor rotatively supported by said second frame for rotation about anaxis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said second frame, thespin axes of said rotors extending parallel to each other and to thesighting axis, the plane extending through the rotor axes being spacedbelow a parallel plane containing the sighting axis,

4. In combination with a sighting device, a tubular casing, a supportmember secured to said casing having means thereon for attaching it tosaid sighting device to maintain said casing with its axis perpendicularto the sighting axis of said device, a first gyro frame within saidcasing, means for supporting said frame within said casing for rotationabout an inclined axis, a rotor rotatively supported by said framefor-rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of theframe, a second gyro frame within said casing, means for supporting saidsecond frame within said casing for rotation about an inclined axis, arotor rotatively supported by said second frame for rotation about anaxis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said second frame, thespin axes of said rotors extending parallel to each other and to thesighting axis, the axes of rotation of said frames extending upwardlyand outwardly, the plane extending through the rotor axes being spacedbelow the parallel plane containing the sighting axis, spring restraintmeans for each gyro frame, and driving means for rotating said rotors.

5. In combination with a sighting device, a tubular casing, a supportmember secured to said casing having means thereon for attaching it tosaid sighting device to maintain said casing with its axis perpendicularto the sighting axis of said device, a first gyro frame within saidcasing, means for supporting said frame within said casing for rotationabout an inclined axis, a rotor rotatively supported by said frame forrotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of theframe, a second gyro frame within said casing, means for supporting saidsecond frame within said casing for rotation about an inclined axis, arotor rotatively supported by said second frame for rotation about anaxis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said second frame, thespin axes of said rotors extending parallel to each other and to thesighting axis, the plane extending through the rotor axes being spacedbelow a parallel plane containing the sighting axis, spring restraintmeans for each gyro frame, and driving means for rotating said rotors inopposite directions.

' 6. In combination with a sighting device, a tubular casing, a supportmember secured to said casing having means thereon for attaching it tosaid sighting device to maintain said casing with its axis perpendicularto the sighting axis of said device, a first gyro frame within saidcasing, means for supporting said frame within said casing for rotationabout an inclined axis, a rotor rotatively supported by said frame forrotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of theframe, a second gyro frame within said casing, means for supporting saidsecond frame within said casing for rotation about an axis perpendicularto the axis of rotation of said first frame, a rotor rotativelysupported by said second frame for rotation about an axis perpendicularto the axis of rotation of said second frame, the spin axes of saidrotors extending parallel to each other and to the sighting axis, theplane extending through the rotor axes being spaced below a parallelplane containing the sighting axis, spring restraint means for each gyroframe, and driving means for rotating said rotors in oppositedirections.

- 7. A gyroscopic stabilizer adapted to be mounted on a sighting devicecomprising, a tubular casing arranged. perpendicular to the sightingaxis, a first gyro frame within said casing, means for supporting saidframe within said casing for rotation about an inclined axis, a rotorrotatively supported by said frame for rotation about an axisperpendicular to the axis of rotation of the frame, a second gyro framewithin said casing, means for supporting said second frame within saidcasing for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotationof said first frame, the axes of rotation of said frames extendingupwardly and outwardly, a rotor rotatively supported by said secondframe for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotationof said second frame, the plane extending through the rotor axes beingspaced below a parallel plane containing the sighting axis, and springrestraint means between each frame and the casing for maintaining theaxis of each rotor parallel to the sighting axis in its undefiectedposition.

8. In combination with a sighting device, a gyroscopic stabilizercomprising, a tubular casing having a clamping device for attaching itto-the sighting device to maintain the axis of said casing perpendicularto the sighting axis of said sighting device, a pair of gyro framesrotatably supported within said casing having their axes of. rotationextending upwardly and outwardly and perpendicular to each other andlocated in a common diametral plane of the casing normal to the sightingaxis and a rotor rotatably supported by each frame, the plane extendingthrough the rotor axes being spaced beiow pa zlci plane containing thesighting axis, each rotor having its axis of rotation perpendicular tothe axis of rotation of its frame and said common dimetral plane.

9. In combination with a sighting device, a gyroscopie stabilizercomprising, a tubuiar casing having a eiar device for attaching it tothe sighting device to main the axis of said casing perpendicular to thesighting axis of said sighting device, a pair of gyro frames rotatablysupported within said casing having their axes of rotation extendingupwardly and outwardly and perpendicular to each other and located in acommon diametral plane of the casing normal to the sighting axis, arotor rotatably supported by each frame, the plane extending through therotor axes being spaced below a parallel plane containing the sightingaxis, each rotor having its axis of rotation perpendicular to the axisof rotation of its frame and said common diametral plane, and a springrestraint between each frame and the casing to maintain the axis of eachrotor parallel to the sighting axis in its undeflected.

- of rotation extending upwardly and outwardly and perpendicular to eachother and located in a common diametral plane of the casing normal tothe sighting axis, a rotor rotatably supported by each frame, the planeextending through the rotor axes being spaced below a parallel planecontaining the sighting axis, each rotor having its axis of rotationperpendicular to the axis of rotation of its frame and said commondiametral plane, a spring restraint between each frame and the.casing'to maintain the axis of each rotor parallel to the sighting axisin its undeflected position, and means for driving said rotors inopposite directions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,645,079 Titterington Oct. 11, 1927 2,570,130 Kenyon Oct. 2, 19512,811,042 Kenyon Oct, 29, 1957

